My Songs

Click on one of the song titles to jump down to the full lyrics.

Here's a selection of songs I've written and recorded in my home studio, some in collaboration with Laurence French, drummer/percussionist.

On the 'My Studio' page you can find technical details on how I go about recording and what equipment and software I use.  This page gives you some information on the inspiration for each song and other useful background.  You can hear some of the songs by clicking on the 'Play MP3' button next to each song's lyrics.  If there isn't a button yet - I'm working on it!

All songs copyright © 2005-2008 John Green and Laurence French and all worldwide rights reserved.

Laurie and I wrote this some time ago but I'd always felt our first recording of it could have been better - so here it is in 2008, with a lot more recording knowledge behind me and now doing the subject justice, I feel.   It concerns the tragic death in 1995 of Philip Lawrence, the talented headmaster of a ‘difficult’ London school.  He went to the aid of one of his pupils, William Njoh, 13, who was being attacked by a 15 year old from another school, Learco Chindamo outside the school gates.  Chindamo stabbed the headmaster to death in front of the terrified pupils.  Philip Lawrence’s family were utterly shattered of course, and will never recover from their dreadful loss.

Chindamo was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1996 with a minimum of 12 years.  He is already in an open prison and will almost certainly be released soon, after serving the 12 years ‘life’ sentence.  The British government took steps in 2007 to make sure he would be deported at the end of his sentence back to Italy where he was born, but the civil rights lawyers swung into action and the court ruled he can stay permanently – the Government ironically snared in its own human rights legislation.  Philip Lawrence’s widow, Frances was devastated saying: "I feel as if I can't fight any more - I feel I can't survive this."

And what became of the 13 year old boy that Philip Lawrence gave his life for? Well, when William Njoh was 21 in 2003 he was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for carrying a gun at the Notting Hill Carnival.  And the school? Deprived of Philip Lawrence’s leadership it declined into violence and failure and in 2000 was closed for a week after the then head was attacked going to help a fellow teacher.  A new, inspired head teacher then took over for a year and pulled it round; afterwards writing a book about her travails which was made into a TV film. I don’t know how the school is faring now.

Like all real-life tragedies, there’s no happy ending. The only solace is that Philip Lawrence’s spirit survives in the work of the Philip Lawrence Awards which recognises outstanding achievements in good citizenship by young people aged 11 to 20.

Sorry for the over-long explanation, but this is an important song, as we took the tragedy of Philip Lawrence to express sadness over the malaise in our society.

When I'd finished this guitar instrumental I thought it had a certain poignancy about it, so I dedicated it to absent friends, Ned and Geoff.  I'm proud to say the solo was done in one take with no drop-ins or corrections, although I had quite a few attempts over a couple of weeks to capture the feel I was looking for.  Backing instrumentation courtesy of Band In A Box.

This is about the perplexed loneliness inside us all and how it's made more acute by (a) the appalling state of our modern culture as the progress of the last few hundred years towards a civilised society unravels, and (b) false prophets claiming to know the true way, whether it be politicians, religious evangelists or other snake-oil salesmen.  Music gives some solace but maybe it's not enough.

Many relationships go through an intoxicating Spring, followed by a mellow Summer before Autumn eventually chills the ardour.  This was the first song I recorded using loops instead of my usual method of midi tracks combined with live performances.  The rhythm and wah guitars are loops as well as the brass parts.  Synth and strings I played in live from my Fantom X6 and drums were my own patterns played on my BOSS Dr-880 drum machine.  The keyboard part was done by Band In A Box.  The guitar solos were played in live using a Les Paul Custom, with some sections reversed in Sonar as they sounded more plaintive that way!

The lyrics to this song came pretty quickly.  I'd been watching a TV programme about the fashion industry and became very angry with all the vacuous, self-possessed idiots pretending what they did was actually of any importance in the overall scheme of things.  The anger is also directed at the clods who support this trivial industry by obediently buying what they're told to buy, on the premise it will make them more alluring, successful or accepted by their peers.  The paradox is that people choose their modes of dress in order to conform, whereas they'd claim, if asked, to be 'expressing their individuality'.

This was inspired by Ravel's sad and beautiful 'Pavane For A Dead Infanta'.  (He died in 1937 so I won't now be breaching copyright law if I publish it as my song!)  I borrowed its main melody for the chorus of my song; a mini love story about the dangers of becoming stage-struck.  I'm quite proud of the two orchestral descants which I played in from my Roland synth - they're not bad for a guitar player!

All songs are autobiographical to a degree, and I admit this one is high on the scale.  The extended guitar solos became an exercise in layered harmonies and they go on a bit, but if you get into the song from the start I think it builds well to a pleasant sonic climax.

A simple love song with a simple arrangement.  Hammond and bass sounds from my Roland XP50, drums from the Alesis SR-16.  I was aiming for a 'Steve Cropper' guitar sound.  I'm particularly  proud of the vocal harmony I added on the second verse; it really lifts the proceedings.

A short 'classical' instrumental to mark the passing of my Dad in November 2008.  I'd had the title in my head for a long time but never put any music to it.  It now goes very well with this piece that contains my feelings of grief and the sorrow I feel for not having spent more time with my Dad when he was here.

                      The Gates of Hell                                                    PLAY MP3                                                  

1.   The man believed in dragons as he stood at the gates of hell,

He saw the evil coming but he wouldn't be saved by the bell.

He taught us all a lesson to stand up for what we believe;

He couldn't have seen what would happen: some children they could deceive.

2.  The world has lost a man who stood at the gates of hell,

He made a stand for freedom at the tolling of the bell.

Children say their goodbyes, and young hearts always mend.

They couldn't believe this could happen to a man they called their friend.

Chorus:  At the gates of hell his world fell apart.

             At the gates of hell they plucked out his heart.

             At the gates of hell, and they children cry.

             At the gates of hell the world passes by, passes by.

It's always the same - no one to blame

But we've all been marked by Cain.

3.  A land that's lost its heroes, we stand at the gates of hell.

There's hate without a reason and everything's for sale.

A ticket buys an exit away to a better life.

Wait for your lucky number or steal it with a knife.

                      Ned & Geoff   -  Instrumental                                    PLAY MP3                                                      

                    Too Many Questions

1.   I need an answer, are we meant to be all alone?

Star-crossed dancers, born with no free will of our own.

Every man’s an island

Waiting for a ship to appear.

With a banner in my hand,

Can’t you see me waving from over here?

2.  Do you have the answer?  Where are all the people like me?

I die a little more inside every time I watch my TV.

Ignorance reigns supreme:

Vulgarity the only truth.

Culture lies a broken dream,

Tell me what am I, supposed to do?

Chorus:  I have my music; I live my life inside my head.

             If I didn’t have music, I’d be drowning in too many questions instead.

             Music helps me through the days,

             Music helps me find my way.    

 3. “We have the answers”, that’s what all the good people say.

“Just follow our leader, and he’ll turn your night into day.”

I don’t need your messiahs,

To help me open my eyes.

There may be too many questions

But I know the answers must be inside.

Chorus:  But I have my music; I live my life inside my head, etc.

 I could go through life, forget it all, and hide behind the door.

 But do you feel like I feel there must be something more?

 Chorus:  I have my music and I live my life inside my head, etc.

Music helps me through the nights,

Music helps me get it right.

                      Autumn Blues                               PLAY MP3

1.   What's wrong with this picture?  I used to call it my life.

Can't remember how I got here, someone else is throwing all the dice.

'Always tried to do the best thing, but now it's me that pays the price.

2.  We spent half our lives together, now we're two ships passing in the night.

I don't know who's to blame: these things are never black and white.

Maybe time has just changed things, and we need different things from life.

 3. I've used up all my wishes, now there's nothing I can do.

Every day we hurt each other, making two hearts black and blue.

I'd be a lot less lonely if I was living without you.

 4. We can't pretend for much longer, acting like there's nothing wrong.

You don't love me anymore and we've both know all along.

Now I need to be with someone that makes me feel like I belong.

                   Slave to Fashun                               

1.   There's a lot of things you want but there's nothing that you need.

It's not money making the world go 'round, it's good old fashioned greed.

Designer labels on your shirts, watch out they're not all fakes.

Those trainers set you back a bomb cost 50 pence to make.

Chorus:  So, you're not a slave to fashion.

             Well, let's put it to the test.

             How can you be an individual dressed like all the rest?

2.  When the gurus say 'This is the trend' it's in your magazines,

Don't get left out in the cold, this season's blue is green.

So find yourself a taxi and get down to Harvey Nic's,

Step over all the homeless, 'These people make me sick.'

Chorus:  No, you can't afford compassion,

             It's not what you do best:

             A selfish individual, and just like all the rest.

Take a good hard look at yourself, and your little fantasy.

Haute couture and heroin chic like the dummies on FTV..

Is that who really want to be?

3.  Those in the know, their hangers-on, and all the connoisseurs

     Are telling you to get on board - the next big thing is fur.

Chorus:  No, you're not a slave to fashion,

             Not in any way obsessed.

             You're a lonely individual, but you always look your best.

Chorus:  No, you're not a slave to fashion,

             And nobody's impressed.

             How can you be an individual dressed like all the rest?

                   Limelight                                                             PLAY MP3

1.   All your life you wanted it, wanted it so bad.

To sing about your memories and things that made you sad,

To be up there on the stage, giving all your soul,

Touching hearts so you are not alone.

Chorus:  Limelight, shine on the you that is magical,

             Sing out and tell the world that your heart is full

             And now you are everything you dreamed.

             Now, you're not afraid to show your heart.

2.  You write the songs of love and ease our pain with verse,

Hoping for love in a loveless universe.

Make a difference to our lives, underneath we're all the same.

Searching for serenity's the game.

Chorus:  Limelight, shine on the you that is magical, etc.

3.  Blinded by your own light and the magic that you feel,

I was pushed into the shadows, but my love was always real.

You could still reach out for me, I could make you feel so proud,

But the love you need comes only from the crowd.

Chorus:  Limelight, shine on the you that is magical, etc.

              What Might Have Been                            PLAY MP3

1.   Where in the world did my life go?

What happened to the man I thought I'd be?

It was easier to sail as the tide flowed,

But it washed me right out to the sea.

2.  When do plans fade to dreams, we'd all like to know.

It can happen when you're off your guard.

Keep your eyes on the prize, make the flame grow,

With one hand on the plough it can be hard.

Chorus:  A prisoner in my own life, afraid to use the key.

             So much locked away inside it's paralysing me.

             When will love break my fall?

             Make some meaning of it all?

             ...what might have been, what should have been...

3.  The child is father to the man and I know now,

Moves right or wrong I made for myself.

Played the game, followed rules, got the know-how,

'Thought the future took care of itself.

4.  And I keep falling back to the warm years,

But I'm a stranger now in those lands.

Am I the same worried man with the same fears?

I'm trying my best to understand.

Chorus:  A prisoner in my own life, afraid to use the key, etc.

              Start Again                                PLAY MP3

  1.    Could it be that you're sorry?  Could it be that you care?

        If we'd tried a bit harder would our love still be there?

        Could it be that you're lonely?  Find it too hard to bear?

        Remembering how it was: all the good times we shared.

   Chorus:   And we sang 'All You Need is Love'; believed it would be enough.

                  We didn't always take good care of what we had then.

                  But now if our love is dead should we sing 'Let It Be' instead?

                  Or try to find our way back home and start again.

  2.   Are you feeling the same way?  Something missing inside?

        It seems lime this love of ours comes and goes with the tide.

        Can I tell you I'm sorry?  Can we try it again?

        I really miss your sunshine, I can't stand all this rain.

   Chorus:  And we sang 'All You Need is Love', etc.

      Best Before Yesterday   -  Instrumental             PLAY MP3

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